Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Read Psalm 98

1 Sing a new song to the Lord,
    for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory;
    his holy arm has shown his saving power!
2 The Lord has announced his victory
    and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
(Psalm 98: 1,2)

Reflection:

This has been one holiday season. I feel like I have
been put through the ringer. I have listened to people,
who are rushed, who are angry, who are anxious,
about of all things Christmas. I have found myself
getting caught up in all of these different emotions.

As the seasoned winds down I find myself reflecting
on my attitude towards Christmas. It ends up so very
busy and so very cluttered. Actually it ends up feeling
like work. I find myself thinking about next year.
What changes do I need to make in my life, and in
the lives of those around me, to celebrate this season?
Celebrate like creation does in Psalm 98? I want my
wife, my children, and my grandchildren, to grow up in
a home where Christmas is equated with "the Lord
announcing his victory" (v.2 NLT). Hopefully this will
be our greatest cause of celebration, especially during
Christmas.

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you so very much for giving us
your victory. Thank you for all the celebration and joy
that brings I asked you Oh God to help me think of
new ways to see your victory every year and at every
Christmas celebration. In your holy and blessed name
AMEN.

Scripture:

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been
born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!
(Luke 2: 11)

First let's get something straight, Christmas is not
an season.  Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
are seasons.

Christmas is an act in history, it is an act of
of the heart, it is an act of the mind, it is an act
of the soul. And that specific act should not and
will not end!

The birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ, continues
to present Himself in our lives.  Because of that
specific act, the birth of the Son of God, God
Himself, came into and continues to be in our
lives.  GOD IS THERE FOR US, HE CONTINUES
TO BE IN OUR LIVES. God is there for us, He
continues to comfort and guide us.  Not only
do we need to recognize the act of Christ's birth,
we need to realize that Jesus' birth continues to
affect our lives.

He was not only born into the world then, He is
born into our lives now!

Continue to experience Jesus Christ, that
experience will continue you to live for an
eternity.

AGAIN AND ALWAYS;  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Prayer:

Almighty God, I thank you for your birth into
the world, and I ask you to continue to be a
part of my life forever. Thank you God for
always being there for me.   In Your Holy
Name.  AMEN

December 27, 2013

Scripture:

Read Matthew 3:1-17. TEXT: John bore witness about Him
and cried out, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes
after me ranks before me, because He was before me'"
(John 1:15).

It's been another long Christmas season and you may be
ready to put away the decorations for another year. But
before you pack up the manger scene, first stop and take a
long look at that baby. What did He look like in the flesh?
His divinity was so completely hidden within His human body
most would have passed by without giving Him a second
glance. But encountering John the Baptist would have been
a completely different story.

"John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt
around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey"
(see Matthew 3:4). The fiery wilderness prophet warned the
people of Israel to turn from their sins and be baptized
because the Kingdom of God was at hand. John stirred up
so much excitement that people began wondering if he was
the promised Christ.

John immediately put that question to rest, "He who comes
after me ranks before me, because He was before me"
(see John 1:30). Yes, John may have been born six months
before Jesus and began his ministry first, but Jesus definitely
ranked supreme. John adds, "He ranks before me because
He was before me." 

The Baptist's words line up perfectly with what the apostle
John has been writing all along. Jesus of Nazareth is no
mere human. He is the only-begotten Son of God who has
existed from eternity. Now He dwells among us in human
flesh.

THE PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, thank You for raising up John the Baptist
to witness to Your Son Jesus, our Savior. Give me courage
and wisdom to share with my friends, family and neighbors
all that Jesus has done for our salvation. In Jesus' Name.
Amen.

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)